ToFarm Film Festival 2018: Everything you need to know

ToFarm Film Festival is returning for its third year. Organized by the Universal Harvesters Inc.,  previous editions of the festival has screened films that eventually made acclaims abroad such as Pauwi Na and Paglipay.  

ToFarm aims to “showcase the lives, journeys, trials, and triumphs of the Filipino farmer.” This year, Bibeth Orteza was made festival head. 

The festival run will be from September 12 to 19 at the following cinemas: SM Megamall, SM Manila, Robinsons Galleria, Trinoma, Greenbelt 1, Gateway, and Gaisano Davao. 

FILMS

Six films will once again participate in this year's line-up, all of which received a 1.5-M seed grant to produce the project. Selection of films were headed by Raquel Villaviciencio. The films are:

Sol Searching by Roman Perez, Jr. 

Teacher Sol is dead and cannot be buried because there are no funds. How will the community come forward to put her to rest, this strict and no-nonsense teacher of grade school students and farmers who need to be taught scientific farming methods?

Starring Joey Marquez, Pokwang, Gilleth Sandico, JM Salvado, Kenken Nuyad, Raffy Tejada, Raul Morit, Lotlot Bustamante, Mayen Estanero, Paolo Rodriguez, Chokoleit, Francis Magundayao, Lee O'Brian, Sue Prado, Jelson Bay, and Troy Salinana Aquino.

Alimuom by Keith Sicat

In the future, the environment is so toxic, farming has been outlawed – governments and corporations have used this to their economic advantage. A family of Filipino scientists set out to discover crops that can still grow in this harsh environment despite the government’s ban, for they aren’t simply growing food, they are bringing back LIFE.

Starring Ina Feleo and Mon Confiado. 

Mga Anak ng Kamote by Carlo Enciso Catu

Set in the Philippines, 2052, the planting of kamote (sweet potatoes) has been outlawed and those caught planting and selling kamote are put in jail, no thanks to the Kamote Planting Regulation Act.

Starring Katrina Halili, Kiko Matos, Alex Medina, Lui Quiambao Manansala, and Carl Guevarra.

1957 by Hubert Tibi

Lucio, the son of a former member of the Hukbalahap, pins hopes on the arrival of President Ramon Magsaysay in their area for genuine land reform.

Starring Ronwaldo Martin, Richard Quan, Menggie Cobarrubias, Joe Gruta, Rolando Inocencio, Angelo Hulip, Ahlex Leyva, Kaethe Bernales, Selina Grace Boucher, and Mary Cristy Anne Corporal.

Kauyagan by Julienne Ilagan

A Talaandig tribal drama, it is the story of a hesitant datu-presumptive and how he learns to rise up to become leader of his people.

Starring Bayang Barrios and Jeff Brinagas.

Tanabata's Wife by Lito Casaje, Choy Pangilinan, and Charlson Ong 

Tanabata-san is a successful Japanese immigrant farmer in La Trinidad Valley in Baguio, where the Japanese have been known to pioneer the planting of salad greens. Middle-aged and lonely, he hires a young feisty Bontoc woman, Fasang, as farmhand, and falls in love with her. They get married and have a son, but Fasang is attracted to the city lights of the Baguio that is now taking shape, and to someone else.

Starring Miyuki Kamimura and  Mai Fanglayan.

OPENING FILM

A special screening of Magnifico will be made in honor of the deceased festival head of the first two editions of ToFarm, Maryo J. Delos Reyes.


SCHEDULE (per cinema)

TRINOMA

Sept 12 (Wed)
12:05 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
2:40 PM Tanabata's Wife
5:15 PM Sol Searching
7:50 PM 1957
10:25 PM Alimuom

Sept 13 (Thu)
12:05 PM Kauyagan
2:40 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
5:15 PM Tanabata's Wife
7:50 PM Sol Searching
10:25 PM 1957

Sept 14 (Fri) 
12:05 PM Alimuom
2:40 PM Kauyagan
5:15 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
7:50 PM Tanabata's Wife
10:25 PM Sol Searching

Sept 15 (Sat) 
12:05 PM 1957
2:40 PM Alimuom
5:15 PM Kauyagan
7:50 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
10:25 PM Tanabata's Wife

Sept 16 (Sun) 
12:05 PM Sol Searching
2:40 PM 1957
5:15 PM Alimuom
7:50 PM Kauyagan
10:25 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote

Sept 17 (Mon) 
12:05 PM Tanabata's Wife
2:40 PM Sol Searching
5:15 PM 1957
7:50 PM Alimuom
10:25 PM Kauyagan

Sept 18 (Tue) 
12:05 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
2:40 PM Tanabata's Wife
5:15 PM Sol Searching
7:50 PM 1957
10:25 PM Alimuom

GATEWAY

Sept 12 (Wed)
12:30 PM Tanabata's Wife
2:35 PM Kauyagan
5:00 PM Sol Searching
7:25 PM 1957
9:30 PM Alimuom

Sept 13 (Thu)
12:30 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
2:35 PM Tanabata's Wife
5:00 PM Sol Searching
7:25 PM 1957
9:30 PM Alimuom

Sept 14 (Fri) 
12:30 PM Kauyagan
2:35 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
5:00 PM Tanabata's Wife
7:25 PM Sol Searching
9:30 PM 1957

Sept 15 (Sat) 
12:30 PM Alimuom
2:35 PM Kauyagan
5:00 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
7:25 PM Tanabata's Wife
9:30 PM Sol Searching

Sept 16 (Sun) 
12:30 PM 1957
2:35 PM Alimuom
5:00 PM Kauyagan
7:25 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
9:30 PM Tanabata's Wife

Sept 17 (Mon) 
12:30 PM Sol Searching
2:35 PM 1957
5:00 PM Alimuom
7:25 PM Kauyagan
9:30 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote

Sept 18 (Tue) 
12:30 PM Tanabata's Wife
2:35 PM Sol Searching
5:00 PM 1957
7:25 PM Alimuom
9:30 PM Kauyagan

GREENBELT 1

Sept 12 (Wed)
1:00 PM Alimuom
3:25 PM Kauyagan
5:50 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
7:20 PM Tanabata's Wife
10:00 PM Sol Searching

Sept 13 (Thu)
1:00 PM 1957
3:25 PM Alimuom
5:50 PM Kauyagan
7:20 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
10:00 PM Tanabata's Wife

Sept 14 (Fri) 
1:00 PM Sol Searching
3:25 PM 1957
5:50 PM Alimuom
7:20 PM Kauyagan
10:00 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote

Sept 15 (Sat) 
1:00 PM Tanabata's Wife
3:25 PM Sol Searching
5:50 PM 1957
7:20 PM Alimuom
10:00 PM Kauyagan

Sept 16 (Sun) 
1:00 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
3:25 PM Tanabata's Wife
5:50 PM Sol Searching
7:20 PM 1957
10:00 PM Alimuom

Sept 17 (Mon) 
1:00 PM Kauyagan
3:25 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
5:50 PM Tanabata's Wife
7:20 PM Sol Searching
10:00 PM 1957

Sept 18 (Tue) 
1:00 PM Alimuom
3:25 PM Kauyagan
5:50 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote 
7:20 PM Tanabata's Wife
10:00 PM Sol Searching

ROBINSON'S GALLERIA

Sept 12 (Wed)
12:20 PM Kauyagan
2:45 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
5:10 PM Tanabata's Wife
7:35 PM Sol Searching
10:00 PM 1957

Sept 13 (Thu)
12:20 PM Alimuom
2:45 PM Kauyagan
5:10 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
7:35 PM Tanabata's Wife
10:00 PM Sol Searching

Sept 14 (Fri) 
12:20 PM 1957
2:45 PM Alimuom
5:10 PM Kauyagan
7:35 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
10:00 PM Tanabata's Wife

Sept 15 (Sat) 
12:20 PM Sol Searching
2:45 PM 1957
5:10 PM Alimuom
7:35 PM Kauyagan
10:00 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote

Sept 16 (Sun) 
12:20 PM Tanabata's Wife
2:45 PM Sol Searching
5:10 PM 1957
7:35 PM Alimuom
10:00 PM Kauyagan

Sept 17 (Tue) 
12:20 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
2:45 PM Tanabata's Wife
5:10 PM Sol Searching
7:35 PM 1957
10:00 PM Alimuom

Sept 18 (Tue) 
12:20 PM Kauyagan
2:45 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
5:10 PM Tanabata's Wife
7:35 PM Sol Searching
10:00 PM 1957

SM MEGAMALL

Sept 12 (Wed)
11:30 AM Sol Searching
1:30 PM Kauyagan
3:35 PM Alimuom
5:20 PM 1957
8:15 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote

Sept 13 (Thu)
11:30 AM Tanabata's Wife
1:30 PM Sol Searching
3:35 PM Kauyagan
5:20 PM Alimuom
8:15 PM 1957

Sept 14 (Fri) 
11:30 AM Mga Anak ng Kamote
1:30 PM Tanabata's Wife
3:35 PM Sol Searching
5:20 PM 1957
8:15 PM Alimuom

Sept 15 (Sat) 
11:30 AM Kauyagan
1:30 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
3:35 PM Tanabata's Wife
5:20 PM Sol Searching
8:15 PM 1957

Sept 16 (Sun) 
11:30 AM Alimuom
1:30 PM Kauyagan
3:35 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
5:20 PM Tanabata's Wife
8:15 PM Sol Seaching

Sept 17 (Mon)
11:30 AM 1957
1:30 PM Alimuom
3:35 PM Kauyagan
5:20 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
8:15 PM Tanabata's Wife

Sept 18 (Tue) 
11:30 AM Sol Searching
1:30 PM 1957
3:35 PM Alimuom
5:20 PM Kauyagan 
8:15 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote

SM MANILA

Sept 12 (Wed)
11:30 AM Kauyagan
1:30 PM Alimuom
3:35 PM 1957
5:20 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
8:15 PM Tanabata's Wife

Sept 13 (Thu)
11:30 AM Sol Searching
1:30 PM Kauyagan
3:35 PM Alimuom
5:20 PM 1957
8:15 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote

Sept 14 (Fri) 
11:30 AM Tanabata's Wife
1:30 PM Sol Searching
3:35 PM Kauyagan 
5:20 PM Alimuom
8:15 PM 1957

Sept 15 (Sat) 
11:30 AM Mga Anak ng Kamote
1:30 PM Tanabata's Wife
3:35 PM Sol Searching
5:20 PM 1957
8:15 PM Alimuom

Sept 16 (Sun) 
11:30 AM Kauyagan 
1:30 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
3:35 PM Tanabata's Wife
5:20 PM Sol Seaching
8:15 PM 1957

Sept 17 (Mon) 
11:30 AM Alimuom
1:30 PM Kauyagan
3:35 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
5:20 PM Tanabata's Wife
8:15 PM Sol Searching

Sept 18 (Tue) 
11:30 AM 1957
1:30 PM Alimuom
3:35 PM Kauyagan 
5:20 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
8:15 PM Tanabata's Wife

GAISANO DAVAO

Sept 12 (Wed)
11:30 AM Alimuom
2:00 PM Kauyagan
4:30 AM Mga Anak ng Kamote
7:00 PM Tanabata's Wife
9:30 PM Sol Searching

Sept 13 (Thu)
11:30 AM 1957
2:00 PM Alimuom
4:30 AM Kauyagan
7:00 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
9:30 PM Tanabata's Wife

Sept 14 (Fri) 
11:30 AM Sol Searching
2:00 PM 1957
4:30 AM Alimuom
7:00 PM Kauyagan
9:30 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote

Sept 15 (Sat) 
11:30 AM Tanabata's Wife
2:00 PM Sol Searching
4:30 AM 1957
7:00 PM Alimuom
9:30 PM Kauyagan

Sept 16 (Sun) 
11:30 AM Mga Anak ng Kamote
2:00 PM Tanabata's Wife
4:30 AM Sol Searching
7:00 PM 1957
9:30 PM Alimuom

Sept 17 (Mon) 
11:30 AM Kauyagan
2:00 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
4:30 AM Tanabata's Wife
7:00 PM Sol Searching
9:30 PM 1957

Sept 18 (Tue)
11:30 AM Alimuom
2:00 PM Kauyagan
4:30 AM Mga Anak ng Kamote
7:00 PM Tanabata's Wife
9:30 PM Sol Searching

AYALA LEGAZPI (Bicol)

Sept 12 (Wed)
12:45 PM 1957
3:20 PM Alimuom
5:55 PM Kauyagan
8:30 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote

Sept 13 (Thu)
12:45 PM Tanabata's Wife
3:20 PM Sol Searching
5:55 PM 1957
8:30 PM Alimuom

Sept 14 (Fri)
12:45 PM Kauyagan 
3:20 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
5:55 PM Tanabata's Wife
8:30 PM Sol Searching

Sept 15 (Sat) 
12:45 PM 1957
3:20 PM Alimuom
5:55 PM Kauyagan
8:30 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote

Sept 16 (Sun) 
12:45 PM Tanabata's Wife
3:20 PM Sol Searching
5:55 PM 1957
8:30 PM Alimuom

Sept 17 (Mon) 
12:45 PM Kauyagan 
3:20 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
5:55 PM Tanabata's Wife
8:30 PM Sol Searching

Sept 18 (Tue) 
12:45 PM 1957
3:20 PM Alimuom 
5:55 PM Mga Anak ng Kamote
8:30 PM Tanabata's Wife


SHORT FILM 

Apart from the full-length films, 6 short films created by amateur filmmakers were selected to be screened alongside the main competition entries.

Bagkat by Moises Soriano

Kaluguran Da Ka, Ma (I Love You, Mom) by Kelvin Aguilar

Mag-Isasaka by Mark Joseph Zuñiga 

Panginoong May Lupa by Al-Jhun Romel Virgo

Sikap by X Productions

Tahanan ng Isang Magsasaka by Brian Reyes

Geek out by following The Film Geek Guy: 

filmgeekguy.com

Facebook: The Film Geek Guy
Youtube: Film Geek Guy

Twitter: @FilmGeekGuy

Instagram: FilmGeekGuy

E-Mail: matthew.escosia@gmail.com